Tennessee Agriculture Insider 2014

AG INSIDER
A GUIDE TO THE STATES FARMS, FOOD AND FORESTRY
TENNESSEE
New technologies position agriculture for growth
IN THE PROCESS
Logging On
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY CREATES JOBS FOR TENNESSEANS
Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture // TNagriculture.com // 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 Governors Welcome 9 Commissioners Welcome 10 Tennessee Agriculture Overview 13 Top Ten Agriculture Products
Crops & Forestry

14 Counting on Crops 22 Hog Wild
Grain processing companies fuel economy in rural Tennessee Meet Tennessees single most destructive animal Wood processing creates jobs, drives states economy
AG INSIDER
A GUIDE TO THE STATES FARMS, FOOD AND FORESTRY
TENNESSEE
2014
28 Growing Trees Grows the State 35 Enduring Forests
Division of Forestry implements plan to keep states forests healthy
Historic Preservation
36 The Daily Grind
Historic preservation meets agribusiness at Readyville Mill
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TENNESSEE AG INSIDER 2014
Agricultural Education
42 An Educational Edge
Agricultural education prepares students for agriscience industry Students seek jobs that make a difference
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Rural Development
72 The Cooperative Spirit 79 Online and On Target
Co-ops give boost to farmers, rural communities Connected Tennessee creates new opportunities for rural residents
48 Agriculture Degrees Open Doors
Livestock & Dairy

54 Streamlining the Process 60 Helping the Herd
New technologies propel locally sourced meat industry Dairy processing and university research position industry for growth
Local Food & Agritourism

80 Made in Tennessee
Pick Tennessee Products connects consumers with local foods and farm experiences
Consumer Protection
66 Playing It Safe
States scientists ensure safety of food for consumers
On the Cover Hassell and Hughes Lumber Company is the third largest private employer in Wayne County.
PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS
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LIVESTOCK & DAIRY
Visit us online at
GOVERNORS WELCOME
Helping theHerd
Story by Rachel Bertone
Dairy processing and university research position industry for growth
Staff Photos by Brian McCord
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Digital
Edition
OPTIMIZED FOR ONLINE
Each article can be read online, as a web article or in our digital magazine.
AG INSIDER
AGRICULTURE aND FORESTRY aRE THRIVING, DYNaMIC
industries that make significant contributions to our states economy, environment and quality of life. Thats why Im proud to join with Commissioner Johnson, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Tennessee-based publisher Journal Communications Inc. in highlighting the progress and innovation taking place within these sectors. We all know that productive farms and forests begin with healthy seed and good soil. In this issue, we go a step further and look at how Tennessee farms, forests and agribusinesses are in the process of refining, adding value and ultimately meeting the challenges of tomorrow. The State of Tennessee is also improving our efforts to better serve the industry and to develop agriculture and forestry to their greatest potential. This past year, state agricultural leaders developed a strategic plan for growing these industries and enhancing our rural communities. By improving education, focusing on our strengths and providing the right kind of business environment, Tennessee is helping to lead in the development of agriculture and forestry and ensuring the health and prosperity of our rural communities. You can join in the process too by exploring this edition of Tennessee Ag Insider and learning more about how Tennessee agriculture and forestry are on the move. Sincerely,
TENNESSEE
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TENNESSEE
Visit us online at
2014
Bill Haslam Governor
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Rapidly advancing agriculture through innovative teaching, research and extension programs for Tennessee small farmers and their families.
Enhancing Academic Opportunity:
Full scholarships for Tennessee residents through the Deans Scholars Program Flexible online and distance education options Internships and co-ops to further enhance hands-on learning Graduate assistantships that pay you to complete your Masters and Ph.D. programs Exposure to global agriculture through study abroad programs
World-Class Facilities:
52,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space supporting learning and research on the main campus 600 acres of farm land available for hands-on learning, extension programs and field research Brand new, state-of-the-art Agricultural Biotechnology Research Building Agribusiness Agricultural Education, Leadership and Extension Animal Science/ Pre-Veterinary Medicine Biotechnology Food Technology Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Plant and Soil Science Agribusiness Management and Analysis Agricultural Education, Leadership and Extension Animal Science Food Supply Chain Management Plant and Soil Science Applied Geospatial Sciences Biological Sciences
BS Degree Programs:

MS Degree Programs:
Professional Science Masters (PSM) Program: Ph.D. Program:
AGRICULTURE
To learn more, please visit www.tnstate.edu/agriculture
2014 EDITION, VOLUME 3
AG INSIDER
TENNESSEE
COMMISSIONERS WELCOME
JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Project Manager KIM HOLMBERG Marketing Director SARA QUINT Agribusiness Content Team RACHEL BERTONE, HANNAH PATTERSON, JESSY YANCEY Proofreading Manager RAVEN PETTY Contributing Writers RACHEL BERTONE, KIM MADLOM, JOHN MCBRYDE, JESSICA MOZO, BETSY WILLIAMS Senior Graphic Designers STACEY ALLIS, LAURA GALLAGHER, JAKE SHORES, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS Graphic Designers JACKIE CIULLA, LINDSEY HIGGINS, KACEY PASSMORE, MATT WEST Senior Photographers JEFF ADKINS, BRIAN MCCORD Staff Photographers MICHAEL CONTI, WENDY JO OBARR, FRANK ORDOEZ, MICHAEL TEDESCO Color Imaging Technician ALISON HUNTER Ad Production Manager KATIE MIDDENDORF Ad Traffic Assistants KRYSTIN LEMMON, PATRICIA MOISAN Chairman GREG THURMAN President/Publisher BOB SCHWARTZMAN Executive Vice President RAY LANGEN Senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing KIM NEWSOM HOLMBERG Senior V.P./Agribusiness Sales RHONDA GRAHAM Senior V.P./Operations CASEY HESTER Senior V.P./Journal Digital MICHAEL BARBER V.P./External Communications TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Sales HERB HARPER Controller CHRIS DUDLEY Senior Accountant LISA OWENS Accounts Payable Coordinator MARIA MCFARLAND Accounts Receivable Coordinator DIANA GUZMAN Sales Support Coordinator CHRISTINA MORGAN IT Director DANIEL CANTRELL Web Creative Director ALLISON DAVIS Web Services Team DAVID DAY, NELS NOSEWORTHY, RICHARD STEVENS Photography Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Creative Services Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Creative Technology Analyst BECCA ARY Executive Secretary KRISTY GILES Human Resources Manager PEGGY BLAKE
AG INSIDER
WERE EXCITED TO SHaRE wITH YOU THE THIRD EDITION
of Tennessee Ag Insider, which tells the story of how food, farm and forest products are not only grown, but how they are processed and ultimately delivered to you. Agriculture doesnt stop at the farm or timber stand. Our food, fiber and fuel system is more complex and has more demands on it than ever before. From grain ethanol production and meat processing to agriculture education and food safety, this issue provides a glimpse into what it takes to deliver the goods on which we all depend. We at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture are proud to be a part of the process of making the system work. Our part is to help facilitate a safer and more environmentally responsible food, fiber and fuel system while increasing farm profitability and encouraging agribusiness investment. We will continue to make this a priority. Tennessee Ag Insider is our way of sharing the amazing story of agriculture and forestry and how these industry sectors are making a difference for our state and its citizens. I hope you will join us on this journey and along the way gain a greater appreciation for the process of feeding, clothing and fueling our world. Sincerely,
TENNESSEE
Welcome to the
Tennessee Ag Insider is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Commissioner JULIUS JOHNSON Deputy Commissioner JAI TEMPLETON Special thanks to all Department staff for their support. For more information about the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, contact: Tom Womack, Director of Public Affairs 440 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220 (615) 837-5118 or by email at tom.womack@tn.gov For information about Pick TN Products, contact: Cynthia Kent at (615) 837-5160 or by email at cynthia.kent@tn.gov Copyright 2014 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Member The Association of Magazine Media Custom Content Council
Julius Johnson Commissioner Tennessee Department of Agriculture
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OVERVIEW
Tennessee Agriculture Overview

A closer look at the states growing industry
TENNESSEES ECONOMY
more than 50 years. In addition to cattle, Tennessee ranks No. 2 for goat production and No. 6 for equine. Row crops flourish in the varied Tennessee climate, with soybeans, corn, cotton, tobacco and wheat all in the states top ten industries. Crop cash receipts totaled $2.3 billion in 2012, led by soybeans with $592 million. The Tennessee economy also receives a boost from international sales of agricultural products, with exports of ag products representing more than $900 million each year. Forestry is a major contributor to the agriculture sector. The USDA Forest Service reports that timberland covers 50 percent of Tennessee, and the majority is privately owned. According to UT AIM-AG, the primary forest industries provide more than 35,000 jobs, while secondary forest industries provide an additional 55,000 jobs. Tennessee boasts more species of trees than any other state, and consistently ranks in the top five for hardwood lumber production. Read on for more agriculture statistics and information from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Tennessee Field Office. Hannah Patterson and identity are closely tied to its multifaceted agriculture industry. Agricultural production alone generates nearly $3.85 billion annually in farm cash receipts, with additional economic impact through processing, manufacturing, transportation and exports. The Volunteer State cultivates an agriculture industry as diverse as the state itself. Boasting three different types of land, West, Middle and East Tennessee range from flat row-crop land to mountainous terrain. Crops, livestock and forestry flourish across the distinct regions. An impressive 76,000 farms account for 40 percent of the states land area, or a total of 10.8 million acres of farmland. The farms average approximately 142 acres each, and farmers produce a wide range of commodities, including livestock, equine, row crops, vegetable and fruit crops, grapes for wine and more. Lush, rolling fields create the ideal setting for raising livestock. Cattle and calves top the commodity list in Tennessee and are found on 53 percent of farms in the state. Approximately 97 percent of the nations cattle farms are familyowned, almost half of which have remained in the same family for
Tennessee produced 46.7 million bushels of soybeans in 2012, enough to yield 116.85 million gallons of biodiesel.
42,000
TENNESSEE FARMS.
of the state, and most is privately owned.
BEEF CATTLE ARE RAISED ON
50%
Timberland covers
Whats Online
Access more agriculture facts at TNagriculture.com.
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Tennessee Ag Insider
960,000
FOOTBALL FIELDS WORTH OF CORN IN 2012. TENNESSEE RANKS NO. 9 IN THE NATION FOR NUMBER OF FARMS, WITH A TOTAL OF 76,000 FARMS ACROSS THE STATE.
TENNESSEE PRODUCERS HARVESTED
THE AVERAGE FARM SIZE IN TENNESSEE IS
acres of Tennessee land is used for farming, representing
10.8M 40%
of total land area.
Agricultural fairs attract 3 million visitors each year in Tennessee.
ACRES, AN INCREASE FROM
142 140
ACRES IN 2011.
TENNESSEE RANKS IN THE TOP FIVE NATIONALLY FOR THESE COMMODITIES:
HARDWOOD LUMBER
SECOND
TOBACCO
SECOND
FRESH TOMATOES
FIFTH
HAY
FIFTH
MEAT GOATS
SECOND
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Tennessees leading ag commodities, based on cash receipts

1. CATTLE & CALVES
This top commodity generated 20 percent of the states agricultural cash receipts in 2012. Cattle and calves earned approximately $783.36 million for Tennessees economy.
Top Agriculture Products

6. GREENHOUSE & NURSERY
This broad commodity includes flowers, shrubs and other plant products. Greenhouse and nursery products earned 10 percent of agricultural cash receipts in 2012.
2. SOYBEANS
Tennessee producers harvested 38 bushels per acre in 2012. Used for food and fuel, soybeans generated $ 591.9 million in cash receipts.
7. MILK & DAIRY PRODUCTS

Milk and other dairy products generated $156.8 million in cash receipts in 2012, representing 8 percent of total agriculture production.
3. CORN
Corn earned $ 519.3 million in cash receipts in 2012. Producers planted 1.04 million acres for feed, processing and ethanol production.
8. WHEAT
Tennessee farmers produced 21.4 million bushels on 340,000 acres in 2012. The crop yielded a production value of $145.7 million.
4. BROILERS
Broilers, or chicken for meat, ranked as Tennessees No. 5 export in 2012. This commodity generated $435.7 million in agricultural cash receipts.
9. TOBACCO
Tobacco generated $113.3 million in cash receipts in 2012. Tennessee is No. 2 in the nation for Class 2 fire-cured tobacco with 21.39 million pounds.
5. COTTON & COTTONSEED

Cotton generated $ 347.3 million in cash receipts in 2012. Tennessee is ranked No. 7 in the nation for cotton production.
10. HAY
Livestock producers in Tennessee have access to 3.5 million tons of local hay. This commodity earned $ 82.8 million in cash receipts in 2012.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service, Tennessee Field Office

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CROPS & FORESTRY
Crops
COUNTING ON
Story by John McBryde
Grain processing companies fuel economy in rural Tennessee
Dried distillers grain, or DDG, is a byproduct of ethanol production and used for livestock feed.
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WEST TENNESSEES OBION
County may be known as a haven for growing soybeans and cotton, but a relatively new industry there has helped to put the spotlight on corn. Omaha, Nebraska-based Green Plains Renewable Energy, North Americas fourth largest ethanol producer, opened a plant in Obion County in 2009. This facility processes mostly locally grown corn into ethanol as well as dried distillers grain and corn oil. As a result, local growers now have another option besides just sending their corn down the Mississippi River. Typically, the corn would be shipped to the river and sent down the river on barges, quite often for exporting, says Pat Hogan, general manager for GPREs Obion County plant. So they miss out on that revenue step, whereas if they sell locally, they enjoy the local revenue. Im not originally from this area, and from what I understood this was not a typical corn-growing area, but rather soybeans and cotton. Since the establishment of this facility, corn has gained prominence in this area. Now its given the farmers the option of growing soy, cotton or corn, whichever market is giving the most bang for their bucks.
In Obion County, Green Plains Renewable Energy creates ethanol from corn, which requires careful and specic testing.
In 2013, American ethanol production helped create 86,503 direct jobs. The ethanol industry helped sustain 386,781 total jobs across the U.S.
ETHANOL IS BLENDED IN MORE THAN 96% OF GASOLINE IN THE U.S. TODAY.

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Tennessee Ag InsiDer
The TOP CROP COUNTIES:
OBION
WEAKLEY
Corn
1. Obion 2. Gibson 3. Dyer 4. Haywood 5. Weakley
DYER
GIBSON
LAUDERDALE
Soybeans
1. Dyer 2. Obion 3. Gibson 4. Lauderdale 5. Weakley

HAYWOOD
The grain-processing industry has been providing quite the bang in Tennessee, not only for farmers and producers but for local economies as well. Corn and soybeans lead the way in terms of bushels produced in the state, and wheat follows, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn is a most versatile grain, as evidenced by its pervasive presence in products ranging from ethanol to corn syrup both of which are produced at Tate & Lyle, a DuPont bioproducts facility off Interstate 75 in East Tennessees Loudon County. Tate & Lyle, a global provider of ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage and related industries, opened its Loudon County operation in the early 1980s and now has around 300 employees there. In 2011, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC a joint venture between the two companies began producing Bio-PDO from corn instead of petroleum-based feedstock at its Loudon County facility. The Loudon County location also provides feedstock to our joint venture with DuPont to make renewable chemicals, says Chris Olsen, Tate & Lyles vice president for community and government affairs.

CORNS MANY USES
Left: Green Plains Renewable Energy in Obion County has become a major force in building demand and improving the market for locally grown corn. Right: Corn is unloaded from a hopper-bottom trailer at the Green Plains plant. This corn will be used for ethanol production.
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There are two primary ethanol production processes: wet milling and dry milling. Roughly 90% of the industry today uses the dry mill process, while the remaining 10% are wet mills.
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IN 2013, BOOMING ETHANOL PRODUCTION HELPED OIL IMPORT DEPENDENCE DROP TO 35 PERCENT.
U.S. CORN MARKETS

A versatile grain, corn is used for a variety of purposes, ranging from animal feed to ethanol production.
OTHER TOTAL 11% EXPORTS 12% ETHANOL 28%
FEED 38%
DDGS 11%
Tennessees grain processing industry creates a tremendous economic impact for the state. The states residents see benet through jobs at grain handling and processing facilities, an increase in transportation needs, and a local market for corn and soybeans grown by Tennessee farmers.
The impact from Tate & Lyle on the economy in Loudon County and the surrounding area has been significant, in more ways than one. Besides the several hundred direct jobs, there are two other major economic impacts we have, Olsen says. The first one is the linked industries that have come to Loudon County that complement our plant. These include industrial gases, dry ice and trucking. These linked jobs virtually double the direct jobs Tate & Lyle provides. He continues, The second economic impact we have is providing animal feed as a co-product of our manufacturing process. Livestock producers from all over the region utilize this animal feed that provides both nutrition and value to their operations.

BIG IMPACTS
Likewise, the economy in Obion County and elsewhere in Northwest Tennessee is enjoying an upsurge since the addition of the GPRE plant, which employs around 55 workers. Ethanol production is particularly strong, with the plant producing 340,000 gallons a day. If youre talking county or state level, theres not just the benefits of the farmer having a local customer, Hogan says. Theres also the benefit from the 55 employees and the contractors we hire and things like that. That pumps money back into the local economy.
Whats Online
Learn more about Tennessee grown row crops at TNagriculture.com.
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CROPS & FORESTRY
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Wild
Story by Jessica Mozo
Hog
Meet Tennessees single most destructive animal

WHEN M aURY COUNTY FaRMER TOMMY TINDELL wENT
out to check his corn fields one Sunday morning in 2010, he couldnt believe what he found. I had 12 acres of corn in one field and it was gone I mean completely trampled and destroyed, Tindell says. I had another 18 acres of corn across the road, and about half of it was destroyed, too. Tindell contacted the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and they confirmed the culprit wild pigs had literally gone hog wild on his farm, digging up and devouring everything in their path. That was just the beginning of Tindells problems. Over the next three years, his farm suffered nearly $40,000 in losses caused by the wild swine. Unfortunately, he isnt alone.
Wild hogs pose a major threat to farms across Tennessee. They typically have longer snouts than farm pigs and are usually black or dark brown in color.
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Wild hogs are a national problem, but they didnt become a huge issue in Tennessee until about 2000, says Chuck Yoest, wild hog coordinator for TWRA. Before then, the hogs mainly roamed the Cumberland Plateau and the South Cherokee portion of the state. But in the 1970s, there was a lot of interest in the sport of wild boar hunting in Tennessee, and some folks took it upon themselves to stock the hogs in new areas, including Middle and West Tennessee, where previously there werent any. Thats when we became more and more concerned with the damage they were causing. When feeding, wild hogs dig into the ground with their long snouts looking for grubs and plant roots to consume. The effects are often devastating. I dont know where they came from, I just know they showed up one day, Tindell says. Ive talked to neighbors in Marshall County who have also seen them. Its been pretty rough. Not only do wild hogs destroy crops, they also carry diseases including Brucellosis, which can be transmitted to humans, as well as pseudorabies, which can be transmitted to other swine and can be deadly for dogs. Weve had reports of hunting dogs being exposed through saliva or bodily fluids from the hogs, and those dogs have died, says Tennessee state veterinarian Charles Hatcher, DVM. Hunting dogs often fight the hogs, and they can be injured or killed. Fortunately, Tennessees commercial swine industry has not been affected, but Hatcher says hogs kept outdoors are more at risk than hogs kept in controlled buildings. Wild boars have no predators to keep them in check, and they can double their population in a year, Yoest says. In an effort to control the population, TWRA created a statewide feral hog hunting season between 1999 and 2010. But illegal stocking and transporting of hogs caused more harm than good, so in 2011 TWRA shifted its focus to trapping and killing the hogs rather

THE LOWDOWN ON WILD HOGS

Would you recognize a wild hog if you saw one? All pigs (or hogs) are the same species there is no biological difference between farm pigs, wild boars or feral hogs. That being said, they differ in appearance. Wild hogs tend to be black or dark brown and broad-shouldered with longer snouts than farm pigs, and they have straight tails as opposed to curly. (Interestingly, farm pigs will revert to the natural color, size and more aggressive attitude of wild pigs within a few generations.)
ANYONE WHO SEES THE ANIMALS ON PRIVATE LAND SHOULD INFORM THE LANDOWNER OR CALL TWRA.
Wild hogs are reported to be active in
38
states.
In 1998, wild hogs were present in 15 Tennessee counties. Today, they are present in 80 of Tennessees 95 counties.
WILD HOGS ARE MATURE AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND HAVE LITTER SIZES OF UP TO EIGHT PIGLETS, UP TO THREE TIMES PER YEAR.
Nationwide, wild hogs cause more than $1.5 billion in damage every year.
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Wild hogs are a national problem, but they didnt become a huge issue in Tennessee until about 2000
CHUCK YOEST
than hunting. They are using high tech electronic traps and providing control opportunities for landowners to eradicate hogs on their property. TWRA has done an excellent job. They set traps with cameras on my farm, and they have often called me to say, Youve got three hogs in the trap go shoot them, Tindell says. In 2011, we shot a 450-pound boar, and after we got him, I didnt see any more for a while. Nationwide, wild hogs cause more than $1.5 billion in damage every year. The problem has become so big in Texas, Kentucky and Louisiana that hunters are allowed to shoot the pigs via helicopter. Yoest says thats a tool Tennessee may use in the future. Meanwhile, TWRA, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee
Farm Bureau and other partners have formed a Wild Hog Eradication Action Team (or WHEAT) with three main goals: to stop the illegal stocking and movement of wild hogs, to control and eradicate wild hogs through trapping and killing, and to inform the public that wild hogs are a problem. Were headed in the right direction, but this problem wont go away in a few years, Yoest says. We are seeing small successes, however, and we hope to see the elimination of small pockets of wild hogs over the next 10 to 15 years. Tindell hasnt seen any on his property since April 2013. 2013 was the first year in four years I didnt have major damage, Tindell says. Between TWRA, myself and neighboring farms, we
killed close to 125 hogs in 2013 alone. Hatcher says consumers shouldnt be overly alarmed, as wild hogs are not a public health concern or a direct threat to household pets. That being said, landowners who choose to consume wild hogs killed on their property should be extremely careful. Anyone handling an infected carcass could be exposed through the blood or reproductive organs. Like any meat product, you need to cook it properly to eliminate disease, Hatcher says. There isnt a food safety issue if the meat is cooked properly. Landowners who have seen wild hogs on their property can contact TWRA for educational materials and steps to take.
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Chuck Yoest serves as the wild hog program coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
WILD HOGS CAN CAUSE EXTREME DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INCLUDING:

Rooting damage Lowered water quality Damage to timber Damage to wetlands Damage to endangered plant communities Competition with native wildlife resources for natural and planted wildlife food sources
Feral swine populations must be reduced by 70 percent each year simply to keep up with reproduction. Without control, a local population can triple in a single year.

DO YOUR PART
Wild hogs cause extensive damage to crops and wildlife habitat. They contribute to erosion and water pollution, and carry diseases harmful to humans, livestock and other animals. Wild hog eradication and control is a cooperative program of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and 21 other partner organizations. If you see wild hogs in Tennessee, notify the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Visit TN.gov/twra/ wildhogs.shtml for a listing of T WRA staff near you.
Staff Photo by Brian McCord
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CROPS & FORESTRY
Growing Trees
GROWS
The State
Wood processing creates jobs, drives states economy
Bob Hughes, master logger at ProMark Sawmill in Prospect, Tenn., inspects logs that will be processed into DAddario drumsticks.
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ProMark Sawmill provides the rst step in making drumsticks. The logs are sawed into dowels, then transported to a Texas facility for nal processing.
A S MaSTER LOGGER FOR
the ProMark sawmill in Middle Tennessee, Bob Hughes is something of an authority on drumsticks. He knows that white hickory is the best kind of wood for making drumsticks, and hes the go-to person for scaling the logs and making sure theyre graded properly. And when hes asked, hell tell people the world always needs drumsticks. Ive been asked a million times, What do you do with 60,000 drumsticks a week? I tell them that 60,000 is not even touching the demand. There are a lot of drummers in bands, college and high school bands, even just kids playing at home. I bought my grandson a drum set for Christmas. Located just north of the Tennessee-Alabama state line in Prospect, ProMark is a subsidiary of DAddario, a New York based company that manufactures a variety of parts for musical instruments. The ProMark mill provides the first and most critical step in the process of making DAddarios drumsticks. After the lumber is sawed into the basic shape, the dowels are shipped for completion to a plant in Houston. Were working real hard on the quality of our products, Hughes says. ProMark is just one example of how wood processors and paper mills contribute to the overall strength of Tennessees forest industry, which generated about $305 million in timber sales in 2012 and has a $21 billion impact on the states economy. Tennessee is a hardwood state above and beyond anything in terms of wood products, says Tim Phelps, forestry communications and outreach unit leader for the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Division of Forestry. About 80 percent of the wood produced in Tennessee comes from hardwood trees, the other 20 percent from pines. All wood using industries help to drive the economy of Tennessee, providing jobs for rural Tennesseans and products that we all use on a daily basis.
DRIVING THE ECONOMY
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TIMBER SALES IN TENNESSEE

Source: Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry 2003: $390 million 2004: $371 million 2005: $503 million 2006: $485 million 2007: $462 million 2008: $329 million 2009: $297 million 2010: $288 million 2011: $288 million 2012: $305 million
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IN TIMBER SALES GENERATED ON FARM AND NONFARM ACRES IN 2012.

TDAs Division of Forestry grows millions of hardwood and pine seedlings for timber production, wildlife habitat and erosion control each year. Seedlings can be purchased at PlantTNtrees.org.
$305M
TENNESSEE HAD
of the wood produced in Tennessee comes from hardwood trees, the other
80% 20%
from pines.
About
The economic impact from an individual processor can be felt throughout a county or even a region. Were buying logs from the immediate area as well as all over central Tennessee, Hughes says. Forest related companies are also major employers in some places. Thats the case for the Hassell and Hughes Lumber Company, which was founded in 1939 in Collinwood and today has around 140 employees. We are the third largest private employer in Wayne County and the largest industrial employer, says Johnny Heard, a forester with the company. On about 13,000 acres of land thats primarily hardwood trees, Hassell and Hughes produces manufactured hardwood lumber, unfinished flooring and semifinished furniture. Its saw mill produces about nine million feet of lumber a year, according to Heard, using mostly red and white oak. Both ProMark and Hassell and Hughes have taken steps to promote just how green the Tennessee forest industry is. Our owner, Jim DAddario, is very much a green advocate, Hughes says. Hes all about reforestation and the restoration of natural resources.
A GREEN INDUSTRY
IN THE U.S., MOST HARDWOODS GROW EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Tennessee ranks No. 2 for hardwood producing states in the United States.
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as much wood by volume is grown than is harvested every year.
twice
Nearly
As a result, ProMark has recently entered a partnership with TDAs Division of Forestry to launch a tree planting program. Its an initiative aimed at ensuring that the hardwood resources used for making drumsticks in Tennessee are sustainable. Seedlings used for this program are grown at the divisions East Tennessee nursery in Delano and are provided at no cost to eligible Tennessee landowners. Since the 1950s, the divisions reforestation program has produced more than one billion tree seedlings, which help supply the raw materials needed to support Tennessees forest products industry. Toward their environmentally friendly focus, Hassell and Hughes has turned what was once a waste product primarily leftover wood shavings from the floor and created a subsidiary known as Greenway Premium Wood Fuel Pellets. The plant produces around 15,000 tons each year of the pellets, which are used mostly in residential heating stoves.
Whats Online
Find links to more Tennessee forestry industry resources at TNagriculture.com.
Tennessee sawmills and wood processing facilities create a signicant number of jobs for Tennesseans. The industry represents a $21 billion impact annually on the states economy.
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CROPS & FORESTRY
Enduring Forests
ennessees trees are in good hands. Celebrating 100 years in 2014, the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Division of Forestry is working as hard as ever to protect and enhance the states forests. The anniversary is an opportunity to look back on our accomplishments, says assistant commissioner and state forester Jere Jeter. But its also an opportunity to look forward to the challenges ahead. Half of the state of Tennessee is forested land, and we want it to stay healthy and productive. One of the main challenges facing the division is the issue of aging forests. The Division of Forestry has come up with Plan 2020: Harvest Plan for Sustainable State Forests, which is designed to create healthier state owned forests by establishing sustainable harvest levels while diversifying age classes. Jeter says that trees, like all living things, get older and old trees eventually fall. To keep forests healthy and productive, its important to have a mix of tree age classes. The plan works to ensure a continuity of age classes in the states forests, with most trees as middle aged, and an equal balance of older and younger trees. As trees become more mature, they can be used as a resource for a number of products. The plan also contains strategies to protect forests for wildlife, recreation and other benefits they provide to the community such as clean air and water. With 15 state forests in
Division of Forestry implements plan to keep states forests healthy
Tennessee a total of 168,000 acres the plans main purpose is to make sure that they are still healthy and productive for years to come. One way the plan will be implemented is through an increased number of regeneration harvests. This is the process of opening up the forest to give enough light to the forest floor, allowing seedlings to grow. Our forests are dominated by oak and hickory trees, and they both require a lot of light for seedlings to grow, says Jeter. However, he adds that the division wants to make sure that theyre not removing more from the forests than what is growing. Currently, forests are growing nearly twice the volume as what is being removed, and they want to keep it that way. The new plan states that more timber will be harvested with a cap on removals at 70 percent annual growth. That means that less volume will be cut than grows, but the harvest rate will help
diversify the age classes by creating younger trees. According to a forest inventory conducted across the state, much of Tennessees forests are shifting to older stands of trees. So, along with executing the plan to manage aging state owned forests, Jeter says that the division will also provide assistance to private landowners who face similar age-class issues. Our state forests serve Tennesseans by providing demonstrations of sustainable forest management, and we are all fortunate to have these natural treasures, he says. The implementation of this plan will only improve their health for the benefit of future generations. Rachel Bertone
Whats Online
To learn more about the specics of Plan 2020: Harvest Plan for Sustainable State Forests, visit tn.gov/agriculture/ publications/forestry/SF2020_Plan.pdf
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Historic preservation meets agribusiness at Readyville Mill

R EaDYVILLE MILL IN MIDDLE
Tennessee is a successful example of agriculture meeting historic preservation to make an economic impact on the states rural areas. One of a handful of authentically restored Tennessee mills still grinding corn and wheat the old-fashioned way, Readyville Mill, situated on the border of Rutherford and Cannon counties, is also a venue that is building on its history with expanded services. Built in 1812, the Readyville Mill was closed in 1978, its water wheel and grinding stones silenced and still until Tomm and Martha Brady purchased it in 2006. Retiring at the age of 42 after a successful run in the candle business,
Daily Grind
The
Story by Betsy Williams Tomm was looking for something to do when he came across the mill. I felt like this was a worthwhile project, and I loved the restoration end of rebuilding this mill, Tomm says. I restored the mill five years before I opened it to the public in 2011, so it has a lot of sweat equity in it. The four-story grist mill serves as the centerpiece of the complex, while the granary accommodates 75 for weekend family-style dining, where the cornbread, grits and breads are made with meal and flour ground in the mill. The open space of the adjoining icehouse is ideal for weddings, receptions and reunions. Weve hosted more than 80 weddings and several parties and reunions, Tomm notes. Its a feel-good place.
Corn and wheat are ground the old-fashioned way at the Readyville Mill, located on the border of Rutherford and Cannon counties.
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Drawing visitors from all over, the Readyville Mill has revitalized this rural region and created 20 new jobs.
Restoring the original buildings was important to Tomm and Martha Brady, who spent ve years renovating the mill before opening to the public in 2011. The Bradys recently sold the Readyville Mill to Bob and Karen Ford, who will continue the restoration project.
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Visitors point to the delicious breakfasts as a reason to keep coming back to the Readyville Mill. The breakfast menu features food items made with the meal and wheat ground on-site and homemade jams.
In February 2014, Brady sold the mill to Karen and Bob Ford, owners of Goodness Gracious Cafe and Catering in Murfreesboro, and The Corners, the house that Charles Ready built in Readyville in the 1820s. This is the first time in more than 100 years that both properties (The Corners house and the mill) are under the same ownership. We are very excited to carry on this tradition, Karen Ford says. We are going to do the exact same thing the previous owners have done, but we are expanding the hours. This is a piece of history that needs to be preserved and continued. Saturday mornings, the mill will be open at 8 a.m. for tours and a hands-on experience. The tours show both children and adults alike the process of how bread is made using only certified organic Tennessee-grown corn and wheat from Windy Acres Farms in Orlinda. With approximately 20 employees and taxes generated by a thriving business, the Readyville Mill has a significant economic impact on the
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area, and represents a trend for rural Tennessee, according to Ed Harlan, a former dairy farmer now serving as assistant commissioner of market development for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. We are seeing an expanded interest in rural projects through agribusiness and agritourism, and the Readyville Mill is a perfect example, Harlan says. People are interested in bringing their children to experience the mill, making a day of it, and hopefully they are buying products from the region. With more people becoming interested in where their food is grown and how it is produced, the local family farm is becoming more of a focal point for the general public, Harlan says, and has spawned the relatively new trend of agritainment. Working mills, pumpkin farms and seasonal you-pick programs scattered across the state are providing people with authentic, expanded farm experiences. I am really happy with this new focus on agritourism, he says. What it has done is to give farmers another source of income, and in some cases its giving the spouse and children another source of income to stay on farm. We are extremely happy about that. Agriculture is meeting historic preservation in other places throughout Tennessee, Harlan says, pointing out lodging and dining venues such as Evans Mill in Smithville, and wineries and distilleries throughout the rural areas of the state. What we are seeing is that people who are three or four generations removed from the farm are reconnecting and understanding where food actually comes from, whether its picking produce and visiting a dairy or going to a mill. It is our desire for people to understand more of rural Tennessee and why agriculture in the rural parts of our state is important to our whole economy and our way of life.

The Readyville Mill staff invite visitors to tour the mill and learn how the corn and wheat are ground. Tomm Brady, who restored the mill himself, says its important for adults and children alike to better understand the process of turning raw agricultural products like wheat into the breads they eat at the dinner table.
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
An Educational
Agricultural education prepares students for agriscience industry
FaRMING MaY BE aS OLD
as the ages, but it requires the attention and education of todays youth in order to continue thriving and evolving. Tennessees students have multiple opportunities to learn about and become involved in agricultural fields that are providing new and exciting careers. For instance, changes in high school core curriculum have served to expose more freshmen to agriscience as a recommended science credit, says Pam Walker, agriscience instructor at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon. This has opened doors to expose students to agriculture who we might never have had, says Walker, who teaches honors agriscience and serves as the schools FFA advisor. We are getting really high quality students, and theyre seeing the opportunities available to them through FFA and other programs. She cites the example of three graduating seniors who entered her agriscience class as freshmen. They had no interest in agriculture when they started, Walker says. Now, all three are going to college to study agriculture and major in agribusiness, and they maintain 4.0 grade averages, with one ranked third in his class. If there is a perception that its only the good ol boys taking agriculture classes, it is the wrong perception. These are high quality students taking leadership roles in our state and our nation through programs like FFA and 4-H. A primary focus of these extracurricular programs is leadership development and moving outside the scope of traditional agriculture, says Steve Sutton, director of 4-H youth development for the state. Our primary mission is to provide research based Extension
EDGE
Story by Betsy Williams
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Agricultural education students at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, Tenn., put their classroom knowledge to practice. Some students practice bandaging a horse wound while others work on a woodworking project in the agricultural mechanics class. Experiential learning is essential to any agricultural education course.
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educational experiences that will stimulate young people to gain knowledge, develop life skills and form positive attitudes to prepare them to become capable, responsible and compassionate adults, Sutton says. Our agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and related products are the vehicle we use to do this. With almost 200,000 students enrolled in the Tennessee 4-H program, the impact is great and participation has expanded to include urban youths as well as traditional farm based students. Only 8.3 percent of our members actually live on a farm, Sutton says. With more and more of our membership coming from urban and rural nonfarm areas, we have had to expand our project offerings to appeal to a wider range of interest. However, this is not to say we have forgotten our roots. We still have strong participation in and support of our agriculture related projects such as beef, sheep, dairy, swine, horticulture, wildlife and forestry.
STUDENTS ARE PART OF THE TENNESSEE 4-H PROGRAM, AND LESS THAN
200,000
OF THE MEMBERSHIP HAVE FARMING ROOTS.
NEARLY
10 percent
Tennessee FFA represents 13,000 members covering 300 chapters across the state.
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Wilson Central High School students check the schools beehives as part of their agricultural education course.
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Tennessee FFA boasts 13,000 members covering 300 chapters, and students enjoy hands on opportunities to learn about the business of agriculture, as well as vegetable and animal production, wildlife, leadership and management practices. The annual spring convention draws 3,000 students who compete in areas designed to expand their agricultural horizons. Wilson High Schools Walker sees the focus of agriculture education becoming more technical. We certainly have a big focus on the Common Core, as we have to get our students graduated from high school with job and leadership skills, she says. But as the business and science of agriculture become more technical, our students have to know how to operate computers and do calibrations for farming equipment. As technology and practices change, our programs have to change with them. We dont teach them a lot about raising livestock or row crops in the classroom; were teaching the science and technology of agriculture. I only see that continuing. Classroom experiences, coupled with real life exposure offered through FFA and 4-H, are creating more educated producers and consumers for the future. Young people are starting community and school gardens, donating the produce theyve raised to local food banks, starting small home poultry flocks and selling their market animals locally after exhibiting them in our state show, and that is making them more prepared for the future, Sutton says. Walker agrees. Agriculture is important, and it is important that our students understand more about it, she says. As it becomes more popular, our students are becoming more ag-literate.
An agricultural education student at Eagleville School works in the greenhouse.
Whats Online
Learn how you can support Tennessee 4-H and FFA programs at TNagriculture.com.
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
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DEGREES Open Doors

Students seek jobs that make a difference
Story by Kim Madlom
AGRICULTURE
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE MARTIN AG STUDENTS: NATHAN MORGAN, UT MARTIN UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHER
senior Evan Betterton was invited to Ohio in January for a final job interview with an energy company an opportunity open to him in large part thanks to the academic path he chose in the colleges agriculture department. Betterton graduated in spring 2014 with a major in natural resource and environmental economics and a minor in watershed management. Ive always had an interest in natural resource management where we get our energy, how its processed and sold and how we manage our water supply, Betterton says. I knew I could earn a business or economics degree and then apply it to those areas, but I wanted a more specific path for going into the field, and the College of Agriculture provided that.
Betterton didnt grow up on a farm. Hes an example of the growing number of students choosing majors from college and university ag departments as a means to qualify for jobs in energy, science, the environment, sustainability and, yes, food production. Kemia Amin, 22, grew up just outside of Knoxville in a residential area, not on a farm. She always had an interest in food science. I wasnt really looking at agriculture, she says. Like most people, I generally thought of agriculture as cows and plows, not food science. Students like Amin and Betterton are filling agriculture classes across Tennessee and the nation for two primary reasons: job opportunities and the chance to make a difference in the world.
Students at the University of Tennessee, Martin gain practical experience at the schools teaching farm.
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FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES WITH AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, MARTIN TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
25%
AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS HAVE INCREASED IN ENROLLMENT BY 25 PERCENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
The goal of the states Drive to 55 effort is to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or certificates from the current 32 percent to 55 percent by the year 2025.
I think the number one reason were seeing more students choose careers in agriculture is because this generation wants to be of value, says Julius Johnson, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents and the UT Board of Trustees. Students today want their careers to be lifesatisfying, and they want to make a tangible difference in the world. Weve got to double the worlds food production by 2050 to feed the growing population. That goal creates a lot of opportunity. That desire to make a difference drove both Amin and Betterton toward agriculture. There will always be a need for reliable and affordable energy and water, and I want to figure out how to be a part of that and make it better for everyone, Betterton says.

Students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville examine a horse during a course lab.
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Food science is a way for me to do something meaningful, Amin says. Im interested in helping address foodborne illnesses and malnutrition. I think its important that we figure out a way to help children who dont have access to fresh food and clean water. I definitely want my career to have an impact, and because of my education, thats a real option for me. Nationally, undergraduate enrollment in agricultural colleges and departments rose 20 percent from 2006 to 2011, according to a study compiled at Virginia Tech. At Tennessee Tech University, enrollment in ag programs rose almost 27 percent from 2008-2013, and that same trend has been seen across the state at Tennessee State University; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Middle Tennessee State University; Austin Peay State University; and the University of Tennessee, Martin. Agriculture programs have increased in enrollment by 25 percent in the last five years, says Caula Beyl, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee. The job opportunities are out there in agriculture, so much so that we now have many of the big ag companies being proactive and recruiting our students before graduation. Weve had a recent instance of a student in food science being hired prior to graduation for a salary of $70,000. An initiative that may push ag program enrollment even higher is Gov. Bill Haslams Drive to 55 effort. The goal is to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or certificates from the current 32 percent to 55 percent by the year 2025. To achieve that goal, we have to reach out to students from our rural areas, Johnson says. Agriculture offers us that opportunity, and students dont have to want to run a farm. They can pursue careers in research, the environment, science and even international exports. Agriculture really offers an entry into almost any career.
AUSTIN PEAY AG STUDENTS: DON SUDBRINK
Johnson said Tennessees colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges are in a strong position to attract and educate students interested in careers in agriculture. Agribusiness, ag engineering and animal science are our top-drawing categories, but students are looking for innovation. They may enroll in the animal science program, but then they add concentrations in plant science and even agritourism, says Dr. Billye Foster, professor and director of Tennessee Tech Universitys School of Agriculture. Thats sort of the beauty of an ag education, Foster says. There is no major world issue today that does not connect with agriculture. From world hunger to the environment to our natural resources, agriculture is the common thread. Our students come to us looking both for the security and stability of a career in agriculture and for innovation and the opportunity to have an impact. An ag education provides all of that.
College agriculture students across the state, including those enrolled at Austin Peay State University (left top), Middle Tennessee State University (left middle), Tennessee State University (left bottom) and Tennessee Technological University (above) utilize hands-on learning to prepare themselves for the workforce.
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LIVESTOCK & DAIRY
Streamlining
Process
Story by Kim Madlom
the
New technologies propel locally sourced meat industry

CONSUMER INTEREST IN
locally grown food has created opportunities for small farms to raise and sell their own meat products, but processing and packaging for sale has been the missing link. Thats changing in Tennessee. Weve had producers in the state who want to sell meat from their farm or at farmers markets and in retail stores, but theres been a bottleneck in the processing, says Wendy Sneed, livestock marketing specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. In order to sell meat to a retail outlet or individual customer, a producer must use a USDA meat processor. Thats been an issue because existing certified processing facilities are already running at full capacity, processing products for their own products and longtime customers. Enter Southern Natural Foods, Niko & Company and Blankenship Farms three processors that now serve small farming operations. Niko & Co., located in Walling (Middle Tennessee), and Blankenship Farms in Calhoun (East Tennessee) are new processors. Both families saw a need for additional processing facilities for themselves and neighboring producers and seized the opportunity to help grow their local, rural economies. Niko processes poultry, including small flocks, for independent growers. Blankenship Farms processes beef and pork, while Southern Natural Foods took over an existing facility in Lexington (West Tennessee) and processes beef for independent farmers as well as to market under its own label.
Senior Scientist Chesleigh Winfree works in the laboratory at BioPet Vet Lab in Knoxville. BioPet veries the source and quality of meat products, and puts that information in the hands of consumers.
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Southern Natural Foods operates its own beef cattle farm in Athens, Tenn., further verifying the source of their products.
All three companies received assistance from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program with the goal of providing expanded processing opportunities for the states livestock producers. TAEP is a state cost share program designed to help producers make long-term investments to improve efficiency and profitability. Other processors in the state are expanding on their own, including H&P Meats in South Pittsburg, which has almost doubled in capacity over the past year. Additional processors mean small farmers have an improved opportunity to sell their own products. Not every producer is going to want to participate in a niche market, but for those who do, these processors make that available to them, Sneed says. Farmers have a chance to brand their products and tell their story. Southern Natural Foods is taking that branding concept to a new level. Southern Natural has partnered with BioPet Vet Lab to implement the IntegriMEAT program, which uses DNA testing and tracking to verify the origin and quality of beef products and puts that information in the hands of consumers. With new descriptive labels like grassfed, organic, hormone-free, or free range, navigating the meat

A BioPet scientist checks blood samples from cattle as part of its DNA source verication program.
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Left: Tennessee raised swine, poultry and beef are growing in popularity with local consumers. Above: New technologies related to DNA tracking further raises consumer condence and adds value to local meat products.
counter in a grocery store or even a menu in a high end restaurant can be challenging, which is where BioPets IntegriMEAT program comes in. When you pay the extra $3 per pound for grassfed beef at the market or a premium price in a restaurant, how confident are you in the origin of the meat? asks BioPet Vet Lab CEO Tom Boyd. DNA is the only way to verify the source of the meat. We can track beef from the ranch to the processor to the retailer. IntegriMEAT begins with a simple DNA field collection of a few drops of blood onto a provided stabilizing paper. Ideally, this is not collected early in the calfs life but typically during ear tagging. The DNA results are entered into a database that tracks the beef up to the point of purchase by consumers. To put this information into consumers hands, BioPet Vet Lab

has partnered with Southern Natural Foods. A unique Quick Response (QR) code is affixed to each package of meat, giving a consumer product information at the point of sale. Each QR code is linked to the farm profile providing the exact origin of the cut of beef, feed type, breed influence, farm history and farm commitments. Each farms profile will also inform the consumer of any beef recalls or food safety warnings associated with that producer. Boyd says the DNA tracking system raises consumer confidence and also adds to the value of the products, which will result in additional sales taxes for the state and additional revenue for the producers. Plus, DNA tracking helps identify which bulls owned by the producer sire the highest quality calves information producers can use to increase profits.
DNA tracking also has direct food safety benefits. Tracing of food sources throughout the supply chain allows targeted responses and rapid response times for recalls during food safety occurrences. Tracking makes it possible to isolate and resolve contamination sources. We would like to see all of Tennessees retail producers participate in this program, Boyd says. We should be the first state to have 100 percent verified beef. Boyd predicts the program will give Tennessee an edge in the international market. The export market is an important source of revenue for Tennessee producers, he says. With DNA tracking, Tennessee can assure international customers of the quality they are getting. That could make our states products some of the most trusted in the world.
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LIVESTOCK & DAIRY
Helping theHerd
Story by Rachel Bertone
Dairy processing and university research position industry for growth
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Harold Williams started his sausage company with the simple belief that country flavor would sell sausage. Over the years, Williams has grown by expanding its distribution and adding new products such as link sausage, sausage patties and microwaveable breakfast sandwiches. Our food-service and retail items are sold in more than 40 states and Mexico. Our premium sausage is made from fresh pork with no artificial fillers using our best cuts, including the hams and tenderloins, and seasoned with a country flavor formula developed by Harold more than 50 years ago. Williams has been chosen by the finest restaurants and food-service distributors as the trusted brand for delivering premium sausage products. We still believe country flavor sells sausage. Try Williams Country Sausage and discover what country flavors all about.
www.williams-sausage.com
The Yoplait plant in Murfreesboro has recently completed a $132 million expansion, adding more jobs and increasing its economic impact.
ITS NOT UNCOMMON TO
see a Tennessean enjoying a frosty Klondike bar on a hot summer day, or savoring their favorite flavor of Yoplait yogurt. But most of them probably dont know that these tasty dairy delights are manufactured right here in the Volunteer State. Thanks to the additions of both a Yoplait and Unilever (manufacturers of Klondike, Breyers and more) plant in the past decade, Tennessees dairy industry is poised to grow. Like most of the Southeast, Tennessee has experienced a decrease in dairy farms due to a number of things, says Ed Harlan, assistant commissioner for market development at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. These factors include residential growth and farmers who are getting older, whose families arent carrying on the tradition. However, Harlan says that there are some new dairies coming in from out of state, as well as a few younger dairies starting up. TDA is doing all it can to stabilize and grow the industry, making the state more attractive to

dairy farmers. Harlan, a former dairy farmer himself, says the demand from end users on the dairy products produced by large companies such as Yoplait and Unilever will have a tremendous influence on dairy production within the state. The demand is here, says Larry Gibson, plant manager at the Unilever plant in Covington. The state is aligned for improvement, its just going to be a long-term strategy. Currently, the plant uses some Tennessee dairy products to make their ice cream, but also sources from out of state. Gibson says
theyre always interested in sourcing more local products. According to the University of Tennessee Extension, in 1995 there were more than 1,300 dairy farms in Tennessee. Currently, there are only 377 licensed dairies operating in 65 counties, mostly the middle and eastern parts of the state. So why the decline in dairy? Dr. Steve Oliver, assistant dean of UT AgResearch and a professor of animal science says that the decline in production and milk quality in the
REVERSING DAIRY DECLINE
TOP DAIRY COUNTIES

1. Greene 2. McMinn 3. Monroe 4. Marshall 5. Loudon
5 2 3
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Tennessee dairies continue to adopt new technologies to improve their milking parlors.
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Southeast is due to high levels of mastitis, an inflammation of the cows udders. Along with efforts from the TDA, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is also working to improve the states industry, leading an initiative with five other state institutions to help revive the industries in Tennessee and the rest of the Southeast. Oliver is leading the USDA funded project, called the Southeast Quality Milk Initiative, which addresses the long-standing issue of milk quality and what can be done about it. Along with UT, the initiative includes the University of Kentucky, Virginia Tech, University of Florida, Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia. It focuses on four primary objectives, including why dairy farmers use (or dont use) certain practices that affect milk quality, assessing where the Southeast stands in terms of milk quality, helping dairy farmers make informed management decisions and developing the next generation of support. We view improved milk quality as something that has beneficial impacts throughout the entire farm-to-table chain, says Dr. Peter Krawczel, dairy behavior and welfare specialist, and assistant professor of animal science at UT. For cows, helping milk quality will decrease disease, decrease mortality and increase productivity. For the farm, it will increase the efficiency of the operation, which will also lower costs of production, bringing increased revenue back to the farm. A lower somatic cell count (which is an indicator of the quality of milk) improves shelf life of fluid milk and improves taste, which can help drive consumer demand. Ultimately, for Tennessees dairy industry to grow, Krawczel says a mixture of things need to happen: Farmers who are already here need to be able to operate in a profitable manner, the next generation needs to be able to take over operations as current generations retire and Tennessee needs to be an attractive place for new farmers to establish new dairies to replace ones that we have lost.

Well-known ice cream brands are processed at the Unilever plant in Covington, Tenn.
TENNESSEE IS HOME TO
DAIRY COWS AS OF JANUARY 2013.
16,000 48,000 1,800

pounds of milk each year. Thats more than gallons of milk!
One Tennessee cow produces an average of
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CONSUMER PROTECTION
Playing
It Safe
States scientists ensure safety of foods for consumers
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THOUGH THE TENNESSEE
Department of Agricultures Consumer and Industry Services Division performs a wide variety of duties, it operates with one bottom line in mind. It is certainly there to ensure the safety of Tennesseans in matters such as food, pesticides and similar areas, but it also seeks what one staff member calls a level playing field. Its a dual purpose role, says Randy Jennings, the divisions director of program operations. At the same time were protecting the consumer, were supporting industry by making sure theres a level playing field. If were holding everyone to the same standard, then were helping to eliminate the opportunity for operators that might want to sell substandard materials. The division is supported by a technical services laboratory. The laboratory is really a tool used to check on products and make sure theyre meeting standards, says James McGuire, manager of the labs chemical branch. Were an information provider to the regulatory programs.
The Tennessee Department of Agricultures Consumer and Industry Services Division conducts thorough testing within its technical laboratory. The Chemical Services branch specializes in food and seed testing.
Andy Doane tests dairy products for proper pasteurization.
Staff Photos by Jeff Adkins
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At the same time were protecting the consumer, were supporting industry by making sure theres a level playing field.
RANDY JENNINGS
And there is much information to provide. With a laboratory that is divided into two main branches Chemical Services and Animal Diagnostics Consumer and Industry Services works to maintain the integrity of the food chain and other regulated commodities. Chemical Services includes specialty program areas in toxicology, food residue, feed and fertilizer, seed lab, environmental monitoring, food microbiology and chemical support. The Animal Diagnostic branch focuses on animal microbiology, histology, virology, immunology, serology and biological support.
We function similarly to a human health department, says Dr. Scott Reed, director of the Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory that oversees animal diagnostics. We run a lot of diagnostic tests, primarily for mail-ins by veterinarians or producers, testing for infectious diseases and monitoring herd health. Thats one major role we play. The other thing is we do all the postmortem exams for animals when the owners bring them to us. Producers or farmers may want to have herds investigated, or animal owners may want to have an autopsy done. In the case of herd health, we
WORKING FOR HERD HEALTH
Above: Ibrahim Farah and Dr. Chris Lam test sh samples for antiobiotics using a mass spectrometer. Right: A dairy product sample is tested to determine the level of coliform bacteria colonies present, which is an indicator of proper pasteurization.
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Above Left: James McGuire is the Chemical Laboratory Manager for the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Consumer and Industry Services Division. Above Right: Chemical formulas are used to examine the results of sh samples, after the samples were tested using a mass spectrometer machine.
can give them information to hopefully prevent any further deaths in their herd. In the case of companion animal deaths, its primarily to provide closure for the pet owner. The Kord lab works with state and federal regulators, private veterinarians and livestock industries with programs aimed at preventing, controlling and eradicating certain infectious or communicable diseases of livestock and other domestic animals. If theres an infectious disease outbreak, Reed says, were instrumental in helping producers

determine what it is and what they can do, treatment-wise. Whether its seed, fertilizer or food, Chemical Services has quite a few facets to it, according to McGuire. We do microtesting for E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, some of the three or four bad boys we see all the time, he says. TDA inspectors actually go into the delis at food markets and check meats and other things prepared in the markets. They recently found roast beef packed out of Louisiana that tested positive for Listeria. That resulted in about a half-
FOCUS ON FOOD SAFETY
million pounds of beef being recalled. The branch is part of the federal Food Emergency Response Network, which is committed to analyzing food samples in the event of a biological, chemical or radiological terrorist attack. We would be a lab that might receive samples so we could do a quick turnaround along with other FERN labs across the country, Jennings says. This would enable FERN to get a large amount of samples tested in a short amount of time. Both branches work out of the L.H. Cotton Ivy Laboratory, a state-ofthe-art facility consolidated in 1994 from several smaller TDA labs.
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RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Cooperative
Spirit
CROP PRODUCTION
Farmers utilize cooperatives for all aspects of growing crops, from planting to marketing. They rely on cooperatives for crop nutrients, seed, crop protection, farm financing, fuel, equipment services, crop marketing and more.
Staff Illustration by Kris Sexton
HOMES
Cooperatives are present in your life every day, through telephone, electricity, Internet and insurance services. Some of the first cooperatives in the U.S. sprang up in Tennessee, through electric co-ops. Today, rural electric cooperatives still deliver power to more than 75 percent of the states residents.
Co-ops give boost to farmers, rural communities

JOHNNY SPaRKMaN CaN TaKE
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
Farmers who raise livestock and poultry rely on cooperatives as well. Improvements in livestock genetics, feed resources and marketing options all exist through the work of cooperatives. Additional farming assistance is also available through cooperative banks and credit unions.
a look around the dairy farm he owns in Sparta and see all sorts of benefits from belonging to cooperatives. There are the obvious things such as electricity, telephone service and, more recently, access to the Internet. There is the additional farm he purchased not long ago through money he borrowed from Farm Credit Mid-America. Even his daily business dealings are linked to a cooperative. We have marketed our milk through a co-op since 1984, says Sparkman, a fourth generation farmer in White County. That got us really involved in the dairy industry.
We like to have input with whats going on with our business, and by being in a co-op you have that. You can get educated on how milk is marketed, things like that. All aspects of our business pretty well relate to co-ops. Tennessee has some 200 cooperatives, from large organizations like the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation to small, individually owned outfits. Cooperatives are different from other types of businesses in that they are owned and controlled by those who use their products and services. Members have input in a
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REAPING THE BENEFITS
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cooperatives operation and can share in its successes. While cooperatives play a key role in helping farmers and others in agriculture throughout the state, their impact is felt by everyone living in rural communities. Thats exciting to me being from a rural community, to see all of these organizations getting together to further Tennessees economy, says Keith Harrison, marketing, advertising and promotions coordinator for TFC. Harrison is the TFCs representative and vice president on the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives, a nonprofit made up of various cooperatives from across the state. Through conferences, training and scholarships, the Council works to promote the benefits of being a part of cooperatives. Its a real good thing for our organizations to be working together to promote that cooperative spirit, that business model created years ago, Harrison says. It still has a tremendous application, even in the complex world that we live in today.
Cooperatives benet small towns across the state, like Columbia in Middle Tennessee.
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Rural communities across the state can benefit from grants provided by the USDA Rural Development program. These support public facilities and services such as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. From fiscal years 2009-12, Tennessee received nearly $3.4 billion in funding from the program, according to USDA figures. Charles Curtis, president of the TCC who retired from Farm Bureau at the end of 2013, has seen a lot of progress being made as a result of cooperatives. Life has changed so much because of what the cooperatives have done, says Curtis, a farmer in Overton County. When I was little, we didnt have electricity in the house. A lot of people cant imagine that, but it was later coming in the rural areas. Were trying to educate people on what the co-ops do. The TCC hosts an annual training workshop for co-op employees and sponsors six college scholarships for agriculture students from each of Tennessees four year ag programs. Part of that education also comes through the TCCs Young Leaders Conference held each year. Its a weekend where participants learn about the benefits of cooperative business. We get together with young folks involved in cooperatives, help to train them in leadership, and improve their knowledge of cooperatives, Harrison says. And its an opportunity for them to get together and socialize. You never know what business will come from that.
Top: Co-op customers enjoy a farm day celebration at their local store. Bottom: Telephone services are a well-known type of cooperative for Tennesseans.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CO-OP DAY: JENNIFER NEWELL, DAVIDSON FARMERS CO-OP
Whats Online
Learn more about cooperatives at TennesseeCouncilofCoops.org.
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Get a taste of Tennessee with recipes featuring the states top commodities.
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RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Online and On Target

he mission for Connected Tennessee has everything to do with access and interaction. It does this by helping to provide broadband Internet connections and similar technology for residents and businesses across the state. And for farmers and others in rural communities, that equates to more opportunities. When it comes to farmers and the agriculture industry, how broadband helps and impacts is really twofold, says Jennifer Cobb, public relations specialist for Connected Tennessee. One way would be sharing best practices with farmers, collaboration, ideas or techniques. And on the other side, things like commodities, pricing, ordering supplies doing that online versus maybe doing that by hand. Now that there is access in the rural communities, that helps from an economic development standpoint. Its connecting these rural communities and offering them the same kind of benefits that more suburban or city neighborhoods have. Its expanding their opportunities. Connected Tennessee, which has a public-private partnership with technology minded businesses, government entities and universities throughout the state, was formed in 2007 to close the gap between locations with broadband access and those without. It was a significant divide some seven years ago, but today Tennessee is recognized as a leader in technology expansion.
Connected Tennessee creates new opportunities for rural residents
Chattanooga has launched a broadband network thats one of the fastest in the country.
The state continues to set the standard for broadband education, adoption and deployment. Our latest figures show 98.4 percent of rural households have broadband access, and thats a six percent increase in the last year, Cobb says. Thats our goal, to get Tennesseans on the Internet, so were pleased with these numbers. As part of its mission, Connected Tennessee is striving to accelerate the availability and use of technology and create a better business environment, more effective communities and economic development, improved health care, enhanced education and more efficient government. On the education front, the
organization implemented a program known as Computers 4 Kids in 2010. Aided by $2.3 million in federal funding, the program aims to increase sustainable broadband and provide computers and training to more than 60,000 disadvantaged youths in Tennessee. The Connected Tennessee website, www.connectedtn.org , has more information on Computers 4 Kids as well as other programs and initiatives. Visitors to the site can also learn about broadband providers in their area and even take free online computer skills courses. John McBryde
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LOCAL FOOD & AGRITOURISM
Tennessee
Story by Jessica Mozo
Made in
Pick TN Products connects consumers with local foods and farm experiences
THE BUY LOCaL MOVEMENT
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD BUSINESSES ARE PART OF THE PICK TN PRODUCTS PROGRAM, THAT SELL NEARLY
2,000
MORE THAN
10,000
FRESH, LOCAL AND FUN PRODUCTS.
is sweeping across the United States, as nutrition conscious consumers want to know more about where their food comes from. In Tennessee, its easier than ever to buy local thanks to Pick Tennessee Products, a Tennessee Department of Agriculture program that connects consumers with local food producers. Though the Pick Tennessee Products campaign was launched in 1986, it really began attracting attention in 1995 when it went live online at www.picktnproducts.org. The site offers 2,000 agriculture and food businesses and lists nearly 10,000 fresh, local and unique products. Directories range from Christmas tree farms to fresh meats and local dairies to farmers markets, pick-your-own farms, wineries, pasta, pumpkins and artisan chocolates.
Pick Tennessee Products has thrived for 28 years by providing real and valuable services and by adapting to changing cultures, consumer demands and technology, says Debbie Ball, director of marketing for the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Market Development Division. The demand for Pick Tennessee Products grows every year. In 2009, the website received 160,000 visits, and in 2013 it received more than 300,000 visits. A Pick Tennessee Products mobile app will be introduced in 2014 that will allow consumers to live local on the go. Listing products on Pick Tennessee Products is free for producers. To be included, they must be in compliance with all permits, licenses and inspections administered by the TDA Consumer and Industry Services division and go through an application process. Staff Photos by Brian McCord
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A shopper picks out locally grown tomatoes at a Tennessee farmers market.
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Corn mazes are a popular family activity across Tennessee each autumn.
Goats milk products are continuing to grow in popularity. Milk from these goats at Noble Springs Dairy will be used to make specialty cheeses, sold all over the region.
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Tennessee wineries have boosted the states agritourism industry, through onsite tasting rooms and special events, often featuring local musicians as well.
In the fall, many Tennesseans pick out farm-fresh decorations like gourds, pumpkins and cornstalks to celebrate harvest season.
Besides food products, the website also links people to farmers markets, farm tours, pumpkin patches, wineries, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, Christmas tree farms and more. Pick Tennessee Products helps participants by providing media exposure, education and marketing opportunities that many small farms or businesses cannot afford, Ball says. For many Pick Tennessee producers, this is their only Web presence. The increasing number of farms, food businesses and items listed on the site tell us loyal customers are supporting our participants. Pick Tennessees emphasis on fresh, local foods, farm-related recreation, and activities related to healthy lifestyles also helps Tennesseans choose a path to better health. Dustin and Justyne Noble own Noble Springs Dairy in Franklin, where they make chevre (a fresh, soft
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John Harrison, owner of Sweetwater Valley Farm in Philadelphia, Tenn., takes an old-fashioned, farmstead approach to cheesemaking. Sweetwater Valley offers a large variety of cheddars and gourmet cheeses made with fresh ingredients and milk from their own dairy cows. The farm also has an agritourism barn display called The Udder Story.
goat cheese), feta, gouda and a variety of other fresh and aged cheeses. The couple also sells Grade A Fluid Goat Milk for people with cows milk allergies, drinkable yogurts and goats milk soaps. Pick Tennessee Products has been a great way to distinguish our products at farmers markets as legitimate, farm-made products from Tennessee, Dustin says. Customers have found us through the PTP website, and it has helped us make connections with others in the industry. Sweetwater Valley Farm in Philadelphia makes 25 varieties of cheese, and visitors can tour the working dairy farm and sample their award-winning cheddars. We do cheese the old-fashioned way, giving them time to develop. High quality milk also makes a big difference, says John Harrison, owner of Sweetwater Valley Farm. I enjoy being part of Pick Tennessee Products because it gives me a way to connect and have a relationship with
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Support Tennesseans year-round through these foods, farm products and agritourism destinations, all linked up at www.picktnproducts.org.
Agriculture for All Seasons
SPRING
Pick a basket of strawberries for a pie. Watch the flowers bloom at a Tennessee bed and breakfast. Plant a garden or trees, sourced from the states nurseries.
SUMMER
Sign your kids up for a summer camp on a farm. Find local produce at a farmers market, CSA or a pick-your-own farm. Go fishing at a local lake.
FALL
Taste a Tennessee wine during grape-harvest season. Go on a hayride or pick a pumpkin. Get lost in a corn or hay maze.
WINTER
Start a family tradition by cutting down your own Christmas tree. Buy Tennessee meats and specialty foods for your holiday meals. Support the states artisans while shopping for gifts.
Tablet Edition

AGINSIDER
TENNESSEE
The special tablet edition is designed especially for use on iPads and other tablet devices.
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Barbara Leonard, owner of Blackberry Hills Bakery, has been making granola for more than 40 years. Today, she has expanded her operation to a commercial facility, where she makes and sells ve varieties.
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my customers like my grandfather did. Its good to get back to that. In Old Fort, Barbara Leonards Blackberry Hills Bakery uses her time-tested recipes to create granola in a 7,000-square-foot wholesale bakery. The granola comes in five varieties: Crunchy Almond, Perfect Pecan, Maple Walnut, No Sir, No Nuts and Sugar Free. Our granolas have a great soft crunch, are packed full of whole grains and fiber, and are less sweet than most granolas, Leonard says. All our granola is handmade in small batches and baked in commercial convection ovens. Its very rewarding to have people tell me they love my granola and that its the best in nutrition and taste of any they have tried.
Live Local on the Go

Supporting local has never been easier. The new Pick Tennessee mobile app helps you nd the farms, farmers markets, foods and fun closest to you, from wherever you are. Search by item like apples, a place like apple orchards, by region of the state, or season. Pick Tennessee will get you where youre going through direct GPS mapping. This free mobile app keeps track of your favorites and links you to seasonal recipes, handy tips and fun facts as well as the full Pick Tennessee Products website, PickTnProducts.org. Some of the great farm direct and local items you can nd on this app include local fruits and vegetables, wineries, greenhouses and plant nurseries, Christmas tree farms, plus local honey and other products. You can nd the farm where theyre produced, or the markets where theyre sold. Learn more at www.picktnproducts.org.
Visit Our
advertisers
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry www.burnsafetn.org Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation www.tnfarmbureau.org Tennessee Farmers Cooperative www.ourcoop.com Tennessee FFA Foundation Inc. www.tnffa.org Tennessee Forestry Association www.tnforestry.com Tennessee Pork Producers Association www.porkbeinspired.com Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council www.tnsoybeans.org Tennessee State University www.tnstate.edu/agriculture Tennessee Tech University College of Ag & Human Sciences www.tntech.edu/agriculture TriGreen Equipment www.trigreenequipment.com UT Institute of Agriculture http://ag.tennessee.edu UT Martin www.utm.edu/caas Williams Sausage www.williams-sausage.com
Austin Peay State University Agriculture Department www.apsu.edu/agriculture Aviagen www.aviagen.com BioPet Vet Lab www.dnawlr.com Burley Stabilization Corporation www.bscleaf.com Cargill www.cargillag.com Center for Protable Agriculture https://ag.tennessee.edu/cpa Drexel Chemical Company www.drexchem.com First Bank & Trust Co. www.rstbank.com H&R Agri-Power www.hragripower.com Koch Foods www.kochfoods.com Middle Tennessee State University School of Agriculture www.mtsu.edu/abas Tennessee 4-H Foundation Inc. www.tn4hfoundation.org Tennessee Beef Council www.beefup.org Tennessee Department of Agriculture www.picktnproducts.org
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Tennessee Agriculture Insider 2014

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Tennessee Agriculture Insider 2014

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AG INSIDER

A GUIDE TO THE STATES FARMS, FOOD AND FORESTRY

New technologies position agriculture for growth

Crops & Forestry

28 Growing Trees Grows the State 35 Enduring Forests

Division of Forestry implements plan to keep states forests healthy

TENNESSEE AG INSIDER 2014

48 Agriculture Degrees Open Doors

Livestock & Dairy

Local Food & Agritourism

Dairy processing and university research position industry for growth

Staff Photos by Brian McCord

SHARE THE CONTENT

HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE?

The digital magazine is available for tablet and phone viewing.

Bill Haslam Governor

Professional Science Masters (PSM) Program: Ph.D. Program:

2014 EDITION, VOLUME 3

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Julius Johnson Commissioner Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Tennessee Agriculture Overview

BEEF CATTLE ARE RAISED ON

TENNESSEE PRODUCERS HARVESTED

THE AVERAGE FARM SIZE IN TENNESSEE IS

acres of Tennessee land is used for farming, representing

Agricultural fairs attract 3 million visitors each year in Tennessee.

ACRES, AN INCREASE FROM

TENNESSEE RANKS IN THE TOP FIVE NATIONALLY FOR THESE COMMODITIES:

Tennessees leading ag commodities, based on cash receipts

Top Agriculture Products

7. MILK & DAIRY PRODUCTS

5. COTTON & COTTONSEED

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service, Tennessee Field Office

CROPS & FORESTRY

Staff Photos by Brian McCord

Grain processing companies fuel economy in rural Tennessee

WEST TENNESSEES OBION

ETHANOL IS BLENDED IN MORE THAN 96% OF GASOLINE IN THE U.S. TODAY.

The TOP CROP COUNTIES:

1. Obion 2. Gibson 3. Dyer 4. Haywood 5. Weakley

1. Dyer 2. Obion 3. Gibson 4. Lauderdale 5. Weakley

CORNS MANY USES

U.S. CORN MARKETS

OTHER TOTAL 11% EXPORTS 12% ETHANOL 28%

CROPS & FORESTRY

Meet Tennessees single most destructive animal

THE LOWDOWN ON WILD HOGS

Wild hogs are reported to be active in

WILD HOGS CAN CAUSE EXTREME DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INCLUDING:

Staff Photo by Brian McCord

CROPS & FORESTRY

Wood processing creates jobs, drives states economy

Staff Photos by Brian McCord

A S MaSTER LOGGER FOR

DRIVING THE ECONOMY

TIMBER SALES IN TENNESSEE

IN TIMBER SALES GENERATED ON FARM AND NONFARM ACRES IN 2012.

IN THE U.S., MOST HARDWOODS GROW EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

as much wood by volume is grown than is harvested every year.

CROPS & FORESTRY

Division of Forestry implements plan to keep states forests healthy

Historic preservation meets agribusiness at Readyville Mill

Staff Photos by Brian McCord